Device for forming hamburger pats and the like



March 4, 1930. A. A. BERG 1,749,178

DEVICE FOR FORMING HAMBURGER FATS AND THE LIKE Filed June 3, v1929 INVENTOR ALMER A. ERG BY ATTORNEY I Patented Mar. 4, 1630 ALMER A. BERG, F MINNEAPOLIS, IMIIltflil'llSO'JfA.

DEVICE FOR FORMING HAMBURG-Eh PATS AND THE LIKE Application filed June 3,

This invention relates to kitchen utensils,

and the primary object is to provide a novel,

, efficient, and practical device, which, while being capable of use for other similar purposes, is primarily designed for forming hamburger pats, and is especially intended for use in restaurants and lunch rooms where large numbers of such pats are made daily,

and where a device for quickly makin the hamburger pats in uniform size and s ape would result in a considerable saving of time and effort over the presently used method of forming the pats by hand. Further and more detailed objects will be disclosed in the course 5 of the followingspecification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the device 2o taken on an irregular line substantially through its longitudinal axis.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view, with the major portion of the handle broken away.

Referring to the drawing more particularly and by reference characters, 4 designates an elliptical sheet metal ring member to one end of which is secured the rod 5 of a handle 6. The ring is preferably beaded about its upper edge, as at 7, for reinforcing purposes.

Rigidly secured'to and extending across the ring member 4 is a cross piece 8, in the central enlargement 9 of which is threaded a sleeve 10 having a knurled head 11. A lock nut 12 on the sleeve 10 screws down upon the cross piece 8 to lock-the sleeve against rota.-

' tion.

Slidable in the sleeve 10 is a rod 13 the upper end of which is provided with a presser head 14, and between the head 14 and the head 11 I provide the rod with a compression spring 15 which tends to lift the rod.

At its lower end the rod is attached to a presser plate 16 which slidably operates to press the hamburger pats or similar pats out of the ring member 4. This plate 16 is slightly inclined, as indicated in Fig. 2, and is prevented from being pressed out of the ring1 by a pair of small lugs 17 that are punche in from the ring body.

The operation and use of the device may be 1929. Serial No. 367,919.

described as follows. With the shell or ring 4 empty the operator, grasping the handle 6, presses the ring down into the bulk or body of material from which the pats: are to be formed, and then pulls it out endwise so as to leave a predetermined amount of the material in the cup formed by the shell 4 and plate 16. Should any surplus material adhere it can be scraped oil with a knife or spatula, or should the chamber not be entirely filled a little more may be easily added. The ring is then placed upon a skillet or hot late, upon which the frying or cooking is to be done, whereupon the operator uses the palm of his other hand to press down the head 14. The resulting pressure upon the plate 16 causes the material to be pressed solidly together, as is highly desirable, and the operator then lifts the ring, by the handle 6, until the front end of the plate 16 is free of the front lower edge of the ring, at which time the device may be slid off of the pat by a pull on the handle 6, thus overcoming any tendency of the material sticking to the plate. The capacity of the chamberor pocket formed by the ring 4 and plate 16is determined bythe height of the plate in the ring, and as the plate stops against the sleeve 10, when raised by the spring 15, the regulated TES PATENT OFFICE 7 position of the sleeve determines the capacity of the chamber. Consequently, to vary the chamber capacity it is only necessary to release the lock nut 12, whereupon the sleeve can be'screwed up or down, and reseoured by the lock nut.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention what I clalm to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a ringed shell member, a presser plate within the member, a rod pro ect1ng from the plate, a knob on the rod, a bearing member for the rod carried by the shell member, and a spring for yieldably raising the rod, said bearing member serving as a stop for the plate and being vertically adjustable whereby the chamber formed by the shell memberand plate may beregu ated as to SlZe.

5 2. A device of the character described comprising a shell member, a handle extendin laterally from the member and with one en attached thereto, a presser plate vertically movable within the member, a rod secured at one end centrally to the plate, a knob at the other end of the rod, a cross piece carried by the shell member and having a bearing portion to slidably receive the rod, a spring disposed between the knob and bearing member,

and means for adjustably securing the bear-.

ing member in the cross piece.

Signed at Minneapohs, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, this 29th day of May, 1929.

ALMER A. BERG. 

